A legendary pillar kicks off the 25 most important Eagles in 2024 originally appeared in NBC Sports Philadelphia
In the coming weeks leading up to training camp, we will be counting down the 25 most important Eagles heading into the 2023 season.
25. Brandon Graham
The 2024 season will be Brandon Graham’s final season in the NFL.
And he’s not taking anything for granted.
“For this to be my last year, I’m happy to go out with a team like this,” Graham said in the spring. “Now we just need to work. I’m just enjoying every second of this obligation. I’m in no rush to go anywhere. Because at the end of the day, the only time I go somewhere is to take the girl to gymnastics or the boy wherever he goes. Family things. But I’m definitely enjoying supporting everyone.”
The 2010 first-round pick will play in his 15th season in 2024. He has said for many years that his goal was to play 15 years in the NFL and that he will get that chance after re-signing a one-year contract this year. out of season.
Graham, 36, is an incredible story of perseverance. Once labeled a first-round bust, Graham became a contributor, starter, Pro Bowler and hero with his strip-sack in Super Bowl LII. Now it’s hard to imagine the franchise without him.
By playing this season, Graham will surpass Chuck Bednarik for the most seasons played in an Eagles uniform. Only Bednarik and Graham played 14 seasons. And he will add 195 games played in an Eagles uniform to his record. The guys behind him are Jason Kelce (193), Fletcher Cox (188) and Davis Akers (188), so that record will be safe for a long time.
As fun as the 2024 Graham Farewell Tour will be, the Eagles didn’t keep him around to be a mascot. They will still count on him this season in Vic Fangio’s defense.
While Graham is not expected to be a starter, he will still be an important part of the edge rusher rotation. Last season, Graham played 395 snaps (34%) and even if that number drops in 2024, he will still see some important snaps. And in a rotation with several other question marks, Graham will still need to produce.
It would be foolish to expect an 11-sack season like 2022, but Graham was still productive last year with 3 sacks, 6 QB hits, and 4 TFLs. Those numbers may not seem elite, but advanced metrics suggest Graham was still bringing it last season.
PFF ranked Graham as the 23rd best edge rusher in the NFL for next season. Not only was he a productive pass rusher, but he also did extremely well against the run for a defense that practically collapsed down the stretch.
The best-case scenario for the Eagles is that Graham thrives in a minimal role, allowing younger players to take over most of the plays. Even if that happens, Graham is extremely important to the team’s spirit.
It will be very strange next year not to have Graham on this list.
Subscribe to Eagle Eye wherever you get your podcasts:
Apple Podcasts | Youtube Music | Spotify | Seamstress | Art19 | RSS | Watch on youtube
